A well-known and respected figure in New Hampshire has chosen Plymouth State University as the place to continue making a difference in the quality of life in New Hampshire.

Plymouth State University has tapped Stephen P. Barba, recently retired co-manager of the Balsams Grand Resort Hotel in Dixville Notch, to head its University Relations efforts. Barba will take over as Executive Director of University Relations at the end of March.

Barba will oversee PSU’s government, community and public relations efforts, serving as the University’s spokesperson and ambassador to the governor’s office, executive council, U.S. and state senators and representatives. Barba will also work closely with the towns of Plymouth and Holderness as the University continues to build community bridges.

“Steve has been an incredible fixture in the state of New Hampshire and, in many respects, is the face of New Hampshire,” said Donald P. Wharton, president of PSU. “Steve possesses an extensive base of knowledge about the state, its leaders and citizens. We are fortunate to welcome Steve to the University’s senior staff and have no doubt that he will be an effective liaison between the University and our local and state government, the state and local communities and the public at large.”

Barba became co-manager of the Balsams Grand Resort Hotel in Dixville Notch over 30 years ago, and spent 25 years as president and managing partner of the famous resort. He currently serves on the boards of Citizens Bank, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, New Hampshire Community Technical College Foundation, New Hampshire Stories, Inc., The Northern Forest Center and the New Hampshire Historical Society. Barba also sits on the Governor’s Job Corps Center Task Force and serves as a selectman in Dixville.

“Plymouth State University is doing great work. I am proud to be joining an institution that sets high expectations for its faculty, staff and students,” said Barba. “PSU has a rich history and I hope to play a role in its future, which looks very bright.”

In his position, Barba will supervise University special events and conferences, work closely with the Directors of Development and Alumni Relations and oversee the management of the Silver Center for the Arts.

“Steve’s unique experience will help Plymouth State continue to build upon its strong academic foundation and broaden our outreach,” said Wharton. We look forward to his many contributions as one of our senior staff members. We are fortunate to have Steve as part of the Plymouth State family.”

Barba graduated from Michigan State University with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Political Science in 1969. In 1971, he completed one year of graduate studies with a teaching assistantship. He is a founding member of the New Hampshire Travel Council and has spent many years as a leader in the area of travel and tourism within the state. In 2003, he was named New Hampshire Business Leader of the Year and received Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Travel Council in 2001.

Highly involved in the governmental process, Barba sat on the Governor’s Commission on the 21st Century, the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Education Funding and the Governor’s Task Force on Travel and Tourism.

Plymouth State University, founded in 1871, is a coeducational, residential university with an enrollment of approximately 3,800 undergraduate students and 1,500 graduate students. A regional comprehensive university, PSU preserves the brick-and-ivy look of its New England small college heritage while integrating state-of-the-art technology and facilities into an attractive, contemporary campus design and dynamic educational environment. PSU is a cultural center for the area, as well, with numerous concerts, lectures, art exhibitions, films, dance and theatre performances on campus.